After a crash at last year’s National Championship Air Races in Reno that killed 11 and injured 70 others, organizers had cause to be worried about the continued existence of the annual event. The final bill for the races’ insurance premium was to have been $300,000, but last year’s tragedy boosted that figure to $2 million—far out of budget for event organizers. The Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, realizing not only the importance of keeping the 49-year-old event going but also the revenue it brings to the state (upwards of $80 million), approved a one-time $600,000 sponsorship. Accidents are an unfortunate part of air races, but this year, the show will go on. Here’s to safe air races in 2012.